At Esperanza, every season brings new opportunities to learn, lead, and grow.
In this month’s newsletter, we are excited to share updates from across our education-to-workforce pipeline, celebrate important milestones, spotlight our summer programs, and highlight the community partnerships that continue to make our mission possible. Thank you for joining us as we continue creating opportunities for learners and families across Northeast Ohio.
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Zulayka “Zully” Ruiz-Barral Appointed CEO
With great excitement, Esperanza announces the appointment of Zulayka “Zully” Ruiz-Barral as the organization’s new Chief Executive Officer.
A dedicated leader with more than 15 years of service to Esperanza, Zully has played an instrumental role in expanding educational opportunities and strengthening programs that empower learners and families across Northeast Ohio. Her unwavering commitment to Esperanza’s mission and deep connection to the community make her uniquely positioned to lead the organization into its next chapter.
As we celebrate this exciting milestone, we invite you to learn more about Zully’s vision for Esperanza and the journey that has led her to this new role.
Click here to read the full announcement.
Greater Impact 2026 | Two Signature Events | One Educational Ecosystem
As Greater Impact 2026 moves forward, we’re inviting our community to continue investing in Esperanza’s mission through two signature events that create opportunities for learners across Northeast Ohio.
Back-to-School Celebration 2026 | Saturday, August 15, 2026
Fiesta of Hope 2026 | Saturday, September 12, 2026
Through the Greater Impact 2026 Campaign, supporters can sponsor both signature events with one impactful commitment, helping provide backpacks and school supplies for students and families while also supporting scholarships, workforce development, mentorship, and career-connected opportunities for learners across our community.
Those who wish to attend can also purchase Fiesta of Hope tickets, with proceeds directly supporting Esperanza’s educational programs and scholarships.
Whether you choose to become a Greater Impact sponsor or join us at Fiesta of Hope, your support strengthens Esperanza’s education-to-workforce pipeline and creates lasting opportunities for generations to come.
Click here or scan the QR code to learn more. Together, we translate to hope.
Launch into Learning!
Presented by AT&T, Esperanza’s 17th Annual Back-to-School Celebration returns on Saturday, August 15, proudly continuing its tradition as the longest-running and largest back-to-school event in Cleveland’s Clark-Fulton community.
Families will enjoy a morning filled with FREE backpacks and school supplies for students, community resources, family support services, entertainment, and fun activities, all designed to help students begin the school year prepared for success.
A heartfelt thank you to our growing family of sponsors who are helping make this event possible:
The J.M. Smucker Co. | FLEX High Ohio | Dollar Bank | Cuyahoga Community College | First Financial Bank | La Mega Cleveland
Interested in making an even greater impact? Sponsorship opportunities are still available through the Greater Impact 2026 Campaign. Click the button below to learn how you can support both signature events!
EYLP Summer is Off to a Great Start!
Summer is officially underway at Esperanza’s STEAM Summer Camp! Over the next six weeks, students will explore science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) through hands-on activities, exciting field experiences, and opportunities to learn, create, and grow alongside their peers.
Programs like our STEAM Summer Camp help students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership skills that prepare them for success in school, college, and future careers.
A heartfelt thank you to our partners, sponsors, donors, and everyone who helps make this experience possible each summer, including:
Cleveland Public Library | Maltz Museum: Respect for All Humanity | The Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio | Julia De Burgos Cultural Arts Center | Starting Point | Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio | Cleveland Metroparks | Greater Cleveland Food Bank | ArtHouse | The Foundry | MAGNET: Manufacturing Success…and so many more!
Click below to watch our STEAM Summer Camp video and see our campers in action!
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Esperanza is also proud to once again partner with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) to provide an engaging Summer Learning Experience for students in grades K–3 at Natividad Pagán International Newcomers Academy.
Throughout the summer, campers will participate in hands-on activities led by nine incredible community partners, exploring STEM, literacy, the arts, recreation, and other enriching experiences designed to keep learning exciting all summer long.
As part of Esperanza’s Youth Leadership Program, this initiative helps young learners build confidence, discover new interests, and continue growing both inside and outside the classroom.
A special thank you to CMSD and our community partners for their continued collaboration and shared commitment to creating a summer filled with learning, creativity, and opportunity for every student.
Welcoming Our Newest Esperanza Scholars
A new academic journey has begun for Esperanza’s 2026–2027 Scholarship recipients! Our Post-Secondary team recently welcomed new scholars and their families for New Scholars Parent Orientation, ensuring students and parents were fully prepared with scholarship information, program expectations, available resources, and everything needed for a successful start to the upcoming school year.
At Esperanza, a scholarship is more than financial assistance, it is an investment in student success. Through personalized advising, mentorship, leadership development, career exploration, and ongoing support, we help students navigate college and prepare for meaningful careers.
For more than 40 years, Esperanza has empowered learners through scholarships and programs that create a pathway from education to workforce success. This life-changing work is made possible through the generosity of our community.
By supporting the Greater Impact 2026 Campaign or attending Fiesta of Hope 2026, you directly help fund scholarships, student support services, and the programs that strengthen Esperanza’s education-to-workforce pipeline.
Click below to watch highlights from New Scholars Parent Orientation!
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Esperanza extends a heartfelt thank you to 787 Market & Cafe for sponsoring our 2026 New Scholars Parent Orientation and helping us welcome the newest members of the Esperanza Scholarship family.
Owned by Esperanza alumnus Harry Quiñones, 787 Market & Cafe is a wonderful example of the lasting impact of our mission. After benefiting from an Esperanza scholarship, Harry continues to invest in future generations by supporting students as they begin their own educational journeys.
Thanks to his generosity, our new scholars and their families enjoyed authentic Puerto Rican cuisine while learning about the opportunities, resources, and support available to them throughout their time with Esperanza.
Thank you, Harry, for your continued commitment to Esperanza and for helping inspire the next generation of scholars.
Be sure to visit 787 Market & Cafe at: 6105 Memphis Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44144
Celebrating our Adult Learners!
Congratulations to our ESL and Computer Class students on completing another successful semester!
We are proud of each student’s dedication, hard work, and commitment to learning and personal growth. Their accomplishments reflect the power of lifelong learning and the opportunities created through Esperanza’s Adult Learners Program.
A special thank you to our volunteer instructors for sharing their time, knowledge, and encouragement throughout the semester, as well as our Adult Learners team for their continued commitment to empowering learners of all ages.
Click below to watch our graduation celebration and hear directly from the students whose lives have been impacted through these programs.
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Now Available: Canva Classes in Spanish!
¡Descubre el poder del diseño digital con nuestro curso Canva para Principiantes y Creación de Contenido Digital! Durante cuatro semanas, aprenderás a crear contenido profesional y atractivo para tus estudios, tu empleo, tu emprendimiento o tu negocio.
Detalles del Curso
Inicio: 1.º de julio
Lugar: Esperanza / Centro de Acceso Tri-C, impulsado por AT&T
Duración: 4 semanas
✅ Dos horarios disponibles
✅ Ideal para principiantes
Para más información o para registrarte, comunícate con Martin Zelaya al 216.586.6996
o por correo electrónico a martin@esperanzainc.org.
Join us in Empowering Northeast Ohio!
At Esperanza, We Translate to HOPE. Will you be Esperanza too?
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